SELF MADE Racing driver Susie Wolff’s fast track to success

Racing driver-turned-presenter and mentor SUSIE WOLFF, 33, shares her wisdom from the fast lane

Failure will happen – deal with it

I’m extremely competitive, but had to learn the hard way that sometimes there can only be one winner – and it won’t always be you. My big dream was to race in Formula 1, and in the end I only test-drove for the women’s team – but I coped because I knew I’d given it everything I had.

Tune in to the voice that says, ‘I can’

In 2005, I was nominated as British Young Driver Of The Year and my career was really taking off. But then I broke my ankle while out running. I was off the team, lost my sponsor and was in a dark place. But ultimately the voice saying ‘You have to keep going’ won out. The following year, I was racing for Mercedes-Benz in one of the biggest touring-car championships in the world, because I’d forced myself back out there. If you don’t believe in yourself, you’ll have a hard time convincing anyone else.

Listening to your gut is not always easy

People presume gut feelings jump out and tell you which path to take, but they don’t. Deep down, I always wanted to be a racing driver, but I was told I needed a plan B, so I enrolled on a business degree. Sitting in an economics lecture, it became very clear it wasn’t where I wanted to be. I walked out and spent hours in a park, contemplating what my gut was telling me, and I realised I wasn’t chasing my dream. So, I left university and moved near Silverstone, where I could work part-time and practise driving every day. Be brave and embrace your instincts, even if they don’t lead you down the easiest path. If you’re not sure what your path is, a good way to start figuring it out is to ask yourself,‘How would I most love to spend a day off?’ I’d still say on the racetrack.

‘Driving like a girl’ is a myth

Both my parents ran their own businesses, and they’re a very equal partnership. My mum raced bikes, too. I was raised to believe I could achieve just as much as my older brother and I shouldn’t have lower expectations of myself because I’m female.

Calculated risks are key in life

People presume racing drivers have no fear, but actually we’re calculated risk takers. You’ve got to know whether a car can handle extra speed around a corner, or when it’s right to overtake. That can apply to life, too. I always think, ‘What’s the worst thing that could happen if I take this chance?’ If I reckon I can handle it, then it’s worth going for.